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Ham, Mary Alice (1855–1928)

Miss Mary Alice Ham, who passed away after a few days' illness on June 24, at her late residence, Warroon, Northgate, was the eldest daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Ham, chief lithographer and engraver to the Queensland Government, and came to Queensland from Melbourne with her parents in 1862. Some years ago Miss Ham was a constant contributor of stories and poems to the Queenslander, and also to other papers and magazines, and succeeded Mrs. Mary Hannay Foot as social editress of the Queenslander. Miss Ham had made arrangements to publish her poems next month. She was beloved by all who knew her for her gentle courtesy, her charity, and her kindly interest in the people amongst whom she lived. She took the keenest interest in the questions of the day. She had three sisters—the Misses Emily and Winifred Ham and Mrs. H. J. Collings, of Melbourne; the brothers were Mr. T. E. Ham, late of H.M. Customs; Mr. A. W. Ham, of Chelmer; Mr. C. H. Ham, of North Arm; and the late Mr. J. C. Ham. Miss Ham belonged to the pioneer family of the '50's who built the Commonwealth on a sure foundation. Her paternal grandfather—the Rev. John Ham—was the first Baptist minister in Melbourne, and her maternal grandfather—Mr. John Collings—was the founder of St. Augustine's Congregational Church at Hawthorn, Melbourne, and later came to Queensland, and was one of the first sugar planters, on the Albert River, in the early '60's. Her father—Mr. Thomas Ham—compiled the first maps of Victoria, and also of Queensland, engraved the first Victorian stamps, and published Ham's Magazine, which was the first Melbourne magazine. After coming to Queensland Mr. Ham accepted the position of Chief Government Engraver and Lithographer. The late Miss Ham was interred at the family grave at Lawnton, the Rev. W. Meikle, of the Virginia Presbyterian Church, conducting the services at the home and graveside. Many beautiful floral tributes were received from relatives and friends, also from the Virginia Presbyterian Women's Guild, of which she was a foundation member, the Virginia Men's Church Committee, trustees and management committee of the Northgate-Virginia School of Arts, Northgate, Virginia Progress Association, the president and members of the Q.W.E.L., also the Nundah and Northgate branches, the Brisbane Central W.C. T.U., and the Northgate branch.